Liberty, Sparks to face off 15 years after debut

Lisa Leslie remembers her surprise at the big arenas and luxurious locker rooms. Rebecca Lobo, Penny Toler and Teresa Weatherspoon recall the excitement of getting to play before family and friends.

With the New York Liberty facing the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, the matchup falls on the anniversary of the game the teams played to begin the league’s inaugural season. Now in its 15th year, the WNBA has overcome naysayers.

“It’s a good sound to hear – 15 years – because when we first started not too many believed it would remain,” said Weatherspoon, who teamed with Lobo to lead the Liberty to a 67-57 win over Leslie, Toler and the Sparks in that first game. “Only we did as the athletes.”